Heskey believes Agbonlahor can still stake a claim for Euro 2012 despite pulling out of the latest get-together for the friendly wins over Spain an Sweden with a hamstring strain.

Contrary to question marks which have surfaced about Agbonlahor’s commitment to his country, Heskey admits the injury-enforced England withdrawal has hit his fellow forward hard.

“It was upsetting for Gabby,” said Heskey. “I thought his call-up was thoroughly merited.

“He’s been brilliant. He’s really stepped his game up this season. He’s been fantastic. It was very frustrating for him to pull out.

“You could see that frustration in him at what happened, but he’s got to keep going and just keep believing in himself.

“He’s playing as well as any striker in the top flight. He’s not only showing great pace and a terrific work ethic for the team, he’s getting the goals too. That’s been superb.

“But he’s a team player, too. He’s been brilliant working back and getting forward. Long may that continue.”

Heskey has been impressed by the attacking combination of Agbonlahor and Bent which has already yielded ten Premier League goals for Villa so far this season. The veteran frontman knows from his famed partnership with Michael Owen for England and Liverpool that it can take time and hard work for strike duos to click.

“They have done well. They’re certainly forging a good partnership and getting a good understanding.

“I can see that developing. It’s in its early stages at the moment. That’s how things develop.

“Time is a big thing. People talk about my partnership with Michael Owen.

“We had grown up and played together since the England Uner-18s. It was a mutual understanding on our parts. It just worked that way. It improves by training week-in and week-out together. You train together and work on things.

“Gabby and Benty are starting to click.”

Heskey is looking forward to Monday’s match at Spurs after mixed emotions during Villa’s 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane last season.

He was in impressive form during the game and created the opening goal for Marc Albrighton, only to limp off injured before half-time.

“It’s an exciting game,” added Heskey. “It’s one of the best stadiums in the business, along with ours. It is an old traditional stadium with a good atmosphere.

“We’re really looking forward to it. We want to go out there and put on a performance and get a good result.”